There are many similarities between Māori
and the indigenous Emirati people of the United Arab Emirates.
That's according to leaders from both parties who met this week.
Our reporter Maiki Sherman was lucky enough
to be invited into the home
of a member of the ruling Sharjah family
to discuss the similarities.
For more let's cross live now to our reporter Maiki Sherman
in Dubai.
Maiki, tēnā koe.
Yes that's right,
the Te Karere team were very fortunate
to meet with one of the ruling family.
He strongly supported the idea
of Māori and the Emirati of this country
working closer together.
Here's my report.
The Arab people are generally identified
through their traditional clothing and their Islamic faith.
But what do we know of the indigenous Emirati?
According to this descendant of the ruling Sharja whānau,
he says kinship has preserved their culture.
It's a noted similarity to Maori.
Both cultures share many similarities,
including hongi.
Speaking of long distances,
both peoples used the stars to navigate on their journeys.
As with ocean navigating on their canoes and shipping vessels
they looked to the stars and the signs of their environment.
Emirati ocean vessels are known as Dhow.
Used for fishing,
carrying cargo,
and pearl diving.
Some of the stars here you don't see them in New Zealand.
So that's what's good about being able to sit with them
and find out about the stars of this place.
It's hoped through this relationship,
the trade doors will open.
He believes the future is promising.
Te Aratini is about...
laying down the foundations
before we begin to discuss business and other areas.
On the same path and the same page.
Over the past few days,
this region was given the go-ahead
to host the very important world climate change summit
in 2023
named COP28.
Shaikh Majid says climate change is a very important issue
for indigenous peoples across the world to follow
and perhaps Māori and Emirati could work together on it.
Now, at the moment,
we're here at the place
that's been prepared to host Te Aratini
in the next few hours.
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will be here,
and soon we'll be diving into the kaupapa,
and we'll continue to bring you updates.
Maiki, thank you very much for the report.
We hope you have a great time there.
That was Maiki Sherman reporting from Dubai.